Originally Posted by
ScepticalOptomist
I’ve been told there is quite the market for premium seats on the 787, hence the configuration QF went with.
Whilst there is no doubt the route has been incredibly successful, I think the config is more about MTOW minus max fuel = max useable ZFW. It’s this number that then determined the mix of J/C, W/C and Y/C seats.
Personally I reckon the 787 is way too big in J/C for more the more normal SE Asian routes. Maybe as the A330 retires we might see more QF 787s arrive in a higher density config closer to 300 pax with something like 28J/28W/236 type layout. Of course these airframes wouldn’t be able to easily slot into the PER-LHR or other ULH routes.